According to the 2009 Ironman World Championship race coverage, Elizabeth Thompson had previously suffered a stroke and had to essentially learn to walk again. There she was, lining up for one of the toughest one day events there is. She had come so far already. And I like what she said about the upcoming day. Essentially she said that if she makes the starting line; that will be a victory. If she makes the swim cut-off; that will be a victory and if she makes the bike cut-off; that will be a victory. But, if she completes the entire race it would be a victory unimaginable.
I feel the same. After years of failing at this, just to make it halfway healthy to the starting line of Ironman Texas, would be a victory. Each portion of the event I might complete will be my own personal victory. So, I take the race apart to put goals, challenges, and rewards along the way. And that Elizabeth Thompson perspective produces more of that "peaceful easy feeling" that I have seemed to be carrying into my workouts. And, prayerfully, I will be able to carry that into race day; to accept myself; to be defined by my effort, not necessarily the outcome.
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